Zionism and the Creation of a New Society

the late Ben Halpern and Jehuda Reinharz

Zionism and the Creation of a New Society is an analysis of the development of the Jewish State. Tracing the history of Zionism from the late nineteenth century to World War II, the authors demonstrate the continuity between the principles and practices of the Zionist movement and the social and political structure of Israel today. The idea of Jewish sovereignty as the means to solve the Jewish problem is reflected in the cultural, economic, and social institutions of contemporary Israeli society. Jehuda Reinharz and the late Ben Halpern, two of the foremost scholars of modern Jewish history in the United States, have produced an accessible, comprehensive, and incisive history of Zionism.

Zionism and the Creation of a New Society

the late Ben Halpern and Jehuda Reinharz

Description

Israel is a modern state whose institutions were clearly shaped by an ideological movement. The declaration of independence in 1948 was an immediate expression of the fundamental Zionist idea: it gave effect to a plan advocated by organized Zionists since the 1880s for solving the Jewish Problem. Thus, major Israeli political institutions, such as the party structure, embody principles and practices that were followed in the World Zionist Organization.

In this respect, Israel is similar to other new states whose political institutions directly derive from the nationalist movements that won their independence. History and social structure are inseparably joined; the contemporary social problems of the new state are clearly rooted in its history, while the shape of its future is being decided by the very policies through which it is trying to solve these problems. At the same time, there are many unique aspects to the birth of Israel. The problem to be solved by acquiring sovereignty in Israel (and establishing a free Jewish society there) was the problem of a people living in exile. The first stage, therefore, was to return to the people a homeland to which they were intimately attached, not only in their dreams but in the minute details of their ways of life.

This important book studies the birth of the State of Israel and analyzes the elaborately articulated and variegated ideological principles of the Zionist movement that led to that birth. It examines conflicting pre-state ideals and the social structure that emerged in Palestine's Jewish community during the Mandate period. In particular, Zionism and the Creation of a New Society reflects upon Israel's existence as both a state and a social structure--a place conceived before its birth as a means of solving a particular social malady: the modern Jewish Problem. Jehuda Reinharz and the late Ben Halpern carefully trace the development of the Zionist idea from its earliest expressions up to the eve of World War II, setting their study against a broad background of political and social development throughout Europe and the Middle East.

Zionism and the Creation of a New Society

the late Ben Halpern and Jehuda Reinharz

Author Information

Jehuda Reinharz is Richard Koret Professor of Modern Jewish History and President of Brandeis University. He is the author, editor, and coeditor of numerous volumes, including Essential Papers on Zionism (1996), Chaim Weizmann: The Making of a Statesman (OUP, 1993), Chaim Weizmann: The Making of a Zionist Leader (OUP, 1985), and Israel in the Middle East (OUP, 1984). Dr. Reinharz is also General Editor of the "Studies in Jewish History" series published by Oxford University Press.

Ben Halpern (1912-1990) was Professor Emeritus of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. Among his distinguished studies of the modern Jewish experience are A Clash of Heroes: Brandeis, Weizmann, and American Zionism (OUP, 1987), The Idea of the Jewish State (1969), Jews and Blacks (1971), and The American Jew: A Zionist Analysis (1956).

Zionism and the Creation of a New Society

the late Ben Halpern and Jehuda Reinharz

Reviews and Awards

"In general, Halsmish's argument is convincing as it is backed up with a wealth of documentary and oral evidence. On the whole, the English translation suits the style and content free of academic jargon, with an occasional colloquialism to emphasize a particular point."--Zionism, Israel, and the Middle East

"Authors bring unusual insight to the circumstances and concepts that made the Jewish state a possibility. Lucid, learned, and thoughtfully written, the book is a must for every student of Zionism and Israeli society."--Shlomo Avineri, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

"The authors have provided an extraordinarily wide and rich historical analysis of Zionism from its inception to the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. Their control of both source material and secondary work is exhaustive and exact, and their interpretation of specific events always judicious and informed. One need not agree with them on all issues--as I do not--to recognize that this is a truly outstanding work."--Steven T. Katz, Director of the Center for Judaic Studies at Boston University

"This is an excellent history of Zionist ideas and politics, mainly in Palestine, and of the early 'heroic' period leading to the establishment of the State of Israel. It was written by two leading students of the subject with admirable clarity and conciseness."--Walter Laqueur, Institute for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, DC

"This is a book about the power of faith, rather than faith in power. It reveals how the impossible became possible--and how a dream gave birth to a state. It is written in a real attempt to uphold intellectual integrity and adhere to factual chronology."--Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister of Israel

"This book reflects the combined work of two eminent historians, the late Ben Halpern and Jehuda Reinharz. A cross between historical and sociological approaches, this book manages admirably to present a dynamic picture of the Jewish society in Palestine and the Zionist movement in its most creative period--on the verge of statehood. Change and stability, revolution and tradition, ideologies and institutions: all are depicted here in their immense diversity as competing factors in Jewish life. This book is long overdue; I can hardly think of another book in the English language that so successfully presents the full spectrum of Zionist society in pre-state times. Combining a critical approach with a sympathetic view of Israel and Zionism, it avoids the pitfalls of eulogizing or excessive criticism, finding the right balance between the two. Any scholar or student of Israeli history would be wise to make use of this book."---Anita Shapira, Tel Aviv University

"This is a seminal work on the history of Zionism and the emergence of the State of Israel. It uniquely combines the history of ideas with social and political analyses. The authors bring unusual insight to the circumstances and concepts that made the Jewish state a possibility. Lucid, learned, and thoughtfully written, the book is a must for every student of Zionism and Israeli society."--Shlomo Avineri, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem